Phase splitter



Dec 7, 1965 J. P. WOODS ETAL 3,

PHASE SPLITTER Original Filed Oct. 20, 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet l 5 s f F 1f I SCALE MODULATOR CORRECTOR I ULl-ilLl 1&1

J l I? j 23 25 33 MODULATOR MOTOR 27 I i .5 --V l l l I I I MOTOR l I l L )j i L J SCALE I 33 9 3| CORRECTOR Fig.

INVENTORS. John P Woods. ATTEST. m Edwin B. Neifzel. 22 Z 4 BY Tom Prickeff Jr.

Maw

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 7, l

Original Filed Oct. 20. 1960 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 355% 5 DATA Q MODULATOR I L i 5 1 F I 95; i T0 DATA I I HEAD 7 i I 39K I L LOG l E l I I RECORD I no I J -:REcoRo 3 SCAN I T [PLOT I I MARKER MODULATOR O-i=' g x x I J N 087 N (\l N LOG .07

Hg gs K L RECORD I03? W 1 kg P N 80@ TO MARKER L 4(' HEAD 23 OI 450v 59 M80" TO POWER SUPPLY 0 I *l INVENTORS. ATTEST. John P. Woods.

Edwin B Neifzel. Tom Prickeff Jr Wild/g1.

ATTORNEY.

Dec. 7, 1965 J. P. WOODS ETAL PHASE SPLITTER 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 Original Filed Oct. 20. 1960 m T mmmr g Y WE M m Z R 0| .m m n w h m T. man A ATTEST.

United States Patent 3 Claims. (Cl. 30788.5)

The present invention relates to improved methods and apparatus for transferring a function from one record medium to a second record medium. More particularly, the present invention concerns an improved phase shifting circuit designed to operate with inputs of varying frequency.

This application is a division application of copending application 63,750, filed Oct. 20, 1960, entitled Log Transcribing and Scale Changing Method and Apparatus, invented by John P. Woods, Edwin B. Neitzel and Tom Prickett, Jr, and owned by a common assignee.

The problem of transferring intelligence recorded in visible form on a medium to a second medium with or without scale changes is confronted in many fields of endeavor. For instance, in various types of testing and metering operations it is conventional to record the ouput of the particular test or metering equipment by oscillograph or other direct reading recorders. To process or operate upon this data with modern-day computers, it is usually necessary to transfer the oscillograph records or other types of records to magnetic tape. Due to differences in record transport speeds, observing speeds, recording speeds, etc., it is sometimes necessary to change the scale of the originally recorded records to a new scale, requiring either linear or nonlinear scale conversion.

The oil industry is similarly faced with the problem of transferring information previously recorded on film or paper to magnetic tape. The problem has become particularly acute with the advent of synthetic seismograms and the increased emphasis on correlation of various well logs, seismic field records, or well logs and field records. In addition, the increased use of cross section plotters and seismic computers has also increased the importance of transferring previously recorded records to magnetic tape since these devices usually operate on magnetic records instead of film or visibly recorded records.

Prior to 1954, most seismograms were recorded on film or on paper, and even today, most well logs are recorded in that manner. As a result, there is an obvious need for an efficient, accurate method of transferring to magnetic tape the vast amount of data stored on well logs and old seismograms.

The industrys growing reliance on automatic data processing mentioned above, as well as the growing tendency to reexamine and correlate old records and logs in an effort to find previously hidden producing sands in eX- plored areas, has also produced a need for a simple, inexpensive, and flexible means of changing the scale of an originally recorded signal to a desired predetermined scale. This operation may require either a linear or nonlinear change. For instance, if a seismogram is to be correlated with a well log, the scale of the seismogram or the log must be changed since the physical length of the log is many times the physical length of the seismogram, and since the log is plotted versus depth and the seismogram is plotted versus time. If a log of a directionally-drilled well is to be correlated with a vertically-drilled well, the scale must be changed to the vertical depth. When a synthetic seismogram is to be constructed from a continuous velocity log or other log, the normal procedure 3,222,546 Patented Dec. 7, 1965 is to change the scale of the continuous velocity log to two-way travel time. Therefore, it is obvious from the examples mentioned above that in most transcribing operations, it is necessary to make appropriate scale changes when the original information is being transferred to magnetic tape.

To the best of applicants knowledge, there is no method or apparatus presently available that satisfactorily transfers a visibly recorded function to magnetic tape with the necessary scale changes. Photographic devices are available for copying records and introducing scale changes by distorting the record. Various types of hand-operated devices are available for following oscillographic recordings and changing same to direct reading visible records such as shown in United States Patent 2,866,596. Specially designed devices are available such as shown in United States Patent 2,638,671 for transforming a drilling time base log with variable footage to a log showing constant footage plotted versus variable time.

However, all of these devices are unduly large, complicated, expensive, and/or slow. A simple, portable device capable of making a linear or nonlinear scale change of the desired amount during the process of accurately transferring a visible recorded signal to magnetic tape is not presently available to industry.

Accordingly, it is the object of the present invention to provide improved and versatile apparatus for transferring a function recorded on a medium to a second medium.

Another object of the present invention is to provide improved apparatus for transferring a function previously recorded on a medium to a second medium and producing any necessary predetermined scale changes during the transfer operations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved phase shifting circuit that is designed to operate on inputs of varying frequencies.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description. In order to simplify this description, the invention will be described with reference to its use in transcribing welllogs and seismograms onto magnetic tape. However, it is to be recognized that the invention can be used with other types of records such as will be described hereinafter.

By way of background information, our over-all transferring system as covered in the parent application includes improved methods and apparatus for scanning previously recorded visual information, translating the information into electrical signals, modulating a carrier with the signals, making the required types of linear or nonlinear scale change if this is necessary, and re-recording the information in modulated form on a magnetic tape or other desired medium. This system makes available to the industry an inexpensive, simplified, flexible, portable, and highly accurate device for transforming previously recorded information into the desired magnetic form for computer or recorder operation.

Now, reference is made to the drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 shows a record transcriber with two types of optionally used scale correctors.

FIGURE 2 is a circuit diagram of an improved low frequency modulator with a variable frequency range.

FIGURE 3 is a schematic drawing of the preferred embodiment of the scale corrector.

FIGURE 4 is a circuit diagram of an improved 90 phase shifting circuit.

The transcriber shown in FIGURE 1 includes a movable follower 1 connected through suitable means to potentiometer 3, modulator 5, and transducer head 7 positioned above record 9. Predetermined code marks 11 are positioned on chart 13 containing data 15 and read by pickup 17. Modulator 19 is activated by relay 21 when pickup 17 encounters mark 11. Transducer head 23 is driven by modulator 19. Motor 25 drives chart 13 through the desired gear ratio in gear box 27. A constant speed motor 29 drives chart 9 through a pulley and metallic belt system 31. Optional scale correctors shown in dash blocks 33 and 35 are not required in the transcribing operation, but are used to illustrate two possible positions for scale correctors. In case scale correction is desired and corrector 33 is selected, motor 25 should be a type whose speed can be accurately controlled. The scale correctors are discussed in detail hereinafter.

The purpose of the transcribing system is to transfer visibly recorded function 15 to a magnetic record 9 with the highest degree of fidelity and etficiency of operation.

Since the information carried in record 13 is contained in the various amplitude variations or character changes shown in function 15, it is extremely important to transfer this intelligence to the magnetic record with a minimum of distortion and alteration. Although it is well known that FM recording provides maximum dynamic range and accuracy of amplitude reproduction, in the past, other types of recording have been used because it was thought PM was not feasible in the transcription of records such as described herein. Applicants system unexpectedly overcomes prior limitations to be described hereinafter and provides a novel method and equipment for using FM recording to transcribe old recorded information. It should be noted at this point that although frequency modulation is most desired since it obtains maximum dynamic range and maximum accuracy of amplitude reproduction, other types of recording can be used by applicants device.

By utilizing the novel approach of frequency modulation in this type of operation, various problems peculiar to PM recording must be overcome. Since in most cases the original record to be transcribed on tape will be scanned at lower speeds than conventional playout speeds of magnetic tape, it is necessary to utilize a novel low frequency modulator that is suitable for various scanning and transcribing speeds encountered. The requirement for very constant low velocity rate of traverse are met by novel use of variable gear ratios, stainless steel belts, and drive motors, all of which will be described in more detail hereinafter. The metallic steel belt referred to above is covered in copending application 768,673, owned by a common assignee.

The most basic method of transferring information recorded in visible analog form on one medium to a second medium comprises the steps of scanning the visible information, translating the originally recorded information into electrical signals, modulating a carrier with the electrical signals, and re-recording the modulated carrier on a second medium.

Let us now consider the preferred embodiment of the transcriber and then consider in detail the operation thereof.

The preferred embodiment employs a hand-operated scanning device such as shown in FIGURE 1. By manually positioning pointer 1 over data 15 as chart 13 is driven by motor 25, potentiometer 3 is adjusted to operate modulator 5. Since the preferred embodiment is being described, modulators and 19 are FM modulators. These and other variations used in the preferred embodiment will be described in detail hereinafter.

FIGURE 2 shows two novel adjustable range, low frequency modulators that may be used in the preferred embodiment. The PM modulator shown in block 5, FIG- URE 2, is designed to record at a reduced scanning speed and contains an adjustable frequency range. Since the scanning operation is reduced in speed, the recording operation must also be reduced in speed proportionately. For instance, assuming that normal magnetic tape playback speed is 7 /2 inches of tape per second and the normal center frequency of the FM modulator is 2,500 cycles per second, then with zero signal, 2,500 cycles are recorded on 7 /2 inches of tape. Therefore, it is clear that in the recording process the FM modulator must be made to operate at frequencies compatible with the low speed of the record tape to make the information readable at normal playout speeds.

To instrument this novel recording approach, the modulators in dash blocks 5 and 19 are utilized. FM modulator 5 includes a bank of capacitors 37 and a bank of capacitors 39, each of which is connected to multicontact ganged switch 41. Banks 37 and 39 are connected to the grid of triodes 43 and 45. Rotary elements 47 and 49 of gang switch 41 are connected to the plates of triodes 43 and 45, respectively, and also to the grid of triode 51 and the plate of triode 53.

Triodes 43 and 45 together with capacitor banks 37 and 39 and associated circuitry form a multivibrator portion of the modulator circuit. Triode 53 is an amplifier, and triode 51 serves as a cathode follower to isolate the multivibrator from the amplifier 53. The PM modulator 19 is similarly composed; i.e., capacitor banks 55 and 57 connected together by gang switch 41 form with triodes 59 and 61 a multivibrator. Triode 63 serves as a cathode follower to isolate the multivibrator from the amplifier formed by triode 65.

Let us now consider transcribing a visible record to magnetic tape utilizing the preferred embodiment of the novel transcribing method.

Briefly, the preferred method includes manually scanning visibly recorded information, translating the information into electrical signals, frequency modulating a carrier with the signals at reduced rates commensurate with the manual scan rate, and recording the modulated carrier on a second medium at reduced rates.

This type of operation as well as others to be described may be utilized for varied operations, such as transcribing oscillograph records or meter readings to tape, photographically recorded seismograms to magnetic tape, electrically recorded or photographically recorded well logs to tape or to a second visible medium in which other logs are also recorded for correlation purposes, etc. However, for ease of explanation, let us assume that it is desirable to transcribe a photographically recorded seismogram to magnetic tape where no scale change is necessary.

Before actual transcription, certain preliminary steps must be taken.

Predetermined coordinating indicia are marked on the original photographic record. The position of the indicia is determined by the type of final record to be produced and whether or not a scale change is to be made. In this case, no scale change is involved and the only requirement is to transfer timing marks on the original record to the final record. Therefore, the desired number of timing marks on the original record are marked by applying strips of burglar alarm tape, by using conductive ink, or by other means to establish the predetermined code. This code will be recorded on the magnetic record as timing marks.

Drive ratios are selected in gear box 27 and pulley and belt system 31, FIGURE 1, to establish a desired basic scanning rate and appropriate recording rate; i.e., the speeds of record 13 and tape 9. This ratio is determined by the type of scanning apparatus utilized. In this case, since record 13 will be scanned manually, the speed of record 13 and the corresponding speed of tape 9 should be reduced approximately 500 times so that the operator can properly track the data on record 13. Put in another way, the speed of tape 9 is reduced approximately 500 times from the desired normal playout speed (i.e., 7 /2 inches per second, 10 inches per second, etc.) to correspond to record 13s manual scan speed.

The proper range of modulator frequencies to correspond with the scaled down recording speed of magnetic tape 9 is selected by using ganged switch 41. That is, the selected modulator frequency range must record the same o number of cycles per second at reduced record speed as will be played back at normal playout speed. It should be noted that the marker modulator 19 frequencies are also appropriately selected by gang switch 41.

As a matter of interest, it should be noted at this time that system 31 utilizes metallic belts and pulleys instead of gears to prevent gear noise from interfering with the FM recording.

The various speed ratios and modulator ranges mentioned above can be reduced to chart form, and thus eliminate any need for computations prior to a recording operation. This is true since there are only approximately four basic well log scales used by service companies and only a limited number of widely used magnetic record playback speeds (i.e., 7% inches per second, 10 inches per second, etc.), and photographic record speeds. Therefore, it is a simple matter to precompute the various combinations of gear ratios and modulator settings and record in chart form for all recording eventualities.

The last preliminary step is to select the no signal condition or carrier frequency of the FM modulator. This is done by positioning pointer 1, FIGURE 1, over 15 on log 13 so it is centered in the middle of the maximum amplitude excursion.

With the preliminary steps over, actual transcription can be initiated. Seismic photographic record 13 is slowly driven under marker 1 by motor 25 operating through gear box 27 to drum 33. As data 15 moves under pointer 1, control knob 67 is manually adjusted to maintain pointer 1 on data 15. When pointer 1 is moved, potentiometer 3 is varied, producing a voltage which is used as a bias and applied to the grids of multivibrator tubes 43 and 45, FIGURE 2. The preselected capacitor 5 chosen by positioning gang switch 41 controls the frequency range of the modulators 5 and 19. The amount of bias voltage applied to the modulator tubes 43 and 45 controls the output frequency of multivibrator 5. The output of the multivibrator 5 is sent through cathode follower 51, amplifier 53 and to transducer head 7 shown in FIGURE 1, where it is recorded on tape 9.

Simultaneously with the transcription of data 15 shown in FIGURE 1, code marks 11 approach pickup 17. Prior to the passage of a code mark under pickup 17, frequency modulator 19 shown in FIGURE 2 produces a constant frequency output as selected by the setting of gang switch 41. As a code marker 11 passes under contact 17 shown in FIGURE 1, the metallic strip shorts out the contact and temporarily changes the DC. bias applied to the grids of multivibrator tubes 59 and 61, FIGURE 2. The resulting bias produces an FM signal which passes through cathode follower 63, amplifier 65, and to transducer head 23, FIGURE 1, where it is recorded as a timing signal on tape 9.

The novel method of transcription described above and claimed in the parent case can be carried out in many and varied different ways. For instance, the record to be transferred can be automatically scanned or semi-automatically scanned as desired. If it is desirable to automatically scan the data, a photoelectric cell such as shown in FIGURE 5 or other well-known automatic scanners can be utilized to read the data. If it is desirable to operate semi-automatically, a photoelectric scanner can be utilized in combination with a manual tracking means so that as the scanner reads the intersection of two crossing data lines, the manual opera-tor can take over and maintain the data reader on the proper information. In any case, the output from such reading devices can be utilized to modulate a carrier which is recorded on magnetic tape or the like. As pointed out heretofore, if FM modulation is not desired, amplitude modulation or other suitable modulation can be practiced. Transcribing operations not requiring scale changes can utilize the same drum for mounting the original record 13 and magnetic tape 9.

The basic scale correcting method can be practiced by using a variable speed drive and controller therefor, or by 6 using a variable advance and delay and controller therefor.

The purpose of the scale changing system is to provide a simplified yet accurate means to adjust the scale of originally recorded information to a predetermined scale on magnetic tape or other recording medium. An additional purpose is to provide a flexible scale changing systern so that a linear-to-linear, a linear-to-nonlinear, or a nonlinear-to-linear scale change may be made during the process of transcription.

By utilizing the novel approach of operating on the information or the original or transcription record at predetermined intervals, an extremely accurate and flexible system of scale changing is produced.

The general method of scale conversion includes the steps of placing a predetermined code on the medium bearing an originally recorded function after the function has been recorded on the medium, simultaneously scanning the code and the function, re-recordi'ng the scanned function and modifying the scale of the function as dictated by the predetermined code.

The subject method is capable of two basic variations in practice. That is, the scale change can be produced by varying the speed of one record at predetermined intervals by corrector 33, FIGURE 1, or the scale change can be produced by operating on the scanned function by advancing and delaying it predetermined amounts by corrector 35. Either corrector can be used with the basic transcriber shown in FIGURE 1 and discussed heretofore; however, it should be noted that either corrector or any variation thereof can also be used with other types of transcribing systems.

Let us now describe the preferred method of scale change and the preferred apparatus for performing same.

FIGURE 1 shows the over-all combination transcriberscale corrector. Either scale corrector 33 or 35 can be used with the transcriber. Scale corrector 33 is the preferred corrector and is arranged to vary the scan speed of record 13 at predetermined intervals marked by code 11. During each interval, the speed will be varied a predetermined amount so that the new record will have code marks separated by equal intervals of record. It should be also understood at this time that the rate of record 9 can be varied instead of record 13; however, if FM recording is used, the modulator would have to be compensated for the speed variations.

FIGURE 3 shows in detail the preferred embodiment of scale corrector 33 in FIGURE 1. Block 69, FIGURE 3, discloses an automatic means for controlling the speed of drive motor 25, FIGURE 1. The control means contains a bank of potentiometers 71, a bank of trim capacitors 73, a plurality of multicontact ganged switches 75 operated by relays 77, and a series of diodes 79 connected with the switches in such a way as to form a stepping matrix. The operation of same will be explained in more detail hereinafter. Block 69 is connected to oscillator 81 which in turn is connected to phase shift network 83. This network is connected to power amplifier 85 and power amplifier 87, respectively, and they in turn are connected to respective windings 89 and 91 in synchronous motor 93. Power supply 95 is connected to filter 97, which in turn is connected to oscillator 81, phase shifter 83, one-shot multivibrator 99, and control means 69. Reset switch 101 is connected to phase shifter 83, control 69, and manual step switch 103. As will be apparent after the detailed description, reset switch 101 causes matrix 69 to shift to the preoperation position whereby relay 77 is activated. Step switch 103 causes the next higher numbered relay to be operated.

Now, refer to FIGURE 4 which shows in detail the degree phase shifting circuit which is the subject matter to which the present claims are directed. The problem of providing voltages 90 degrees out of phase to 90 degree windings on a synchronous motor is a relatively simple operation when the input frequencies remain constant. However, when the input frequency to a phase shifting circuit is continually varied, the problem of maintaining a 90 degree phase shift becomes very diflicult. The novel, simplified, and flexible phase shifting circuit shown in FIGURE 4 is adapted to meet this problem. To the best of applicants knowledge, no presently used phase shifting circuit is capable of operating with such dependability and simplicity of circuit design.

The novel circuit as shown in FIGURE 4 includes drive flip flop 105 and driven flip flops 107 and 109. Flip flop 105 includes input circuit 111 and transistors 113 and 115. Transistor 113 is connected through differentiating circuit (capacitor 117 and resistor 119) and trigger transistor 121 to flip flop 107. Transistor 115 is connected through differentiating circuit (capacitor 123 and resistor 125) and trigger transistor 127 to flip flop 109. As will be shown hereafter, the phase shifting circuit shown in FIGURE 4, when used for operation in block 83, FIGURE 3, is capable of maintaining a 90 degree phase shift between its output voltages regardless of the input voltage frequency variation. Therefore, regardless of the output frequencies programmed by 69, synchronous motor 93 receives the required two votlages that are 90 degrees out of phase.

Let us now consider the detailed operation of the overall apparatus for producing a scale change. The operative steps may be summarized as follows.

A method of changing the scale of a function prerecorded on an original medium to a predetermined scale on a second medium while the prerecorded function is being transferred to the second medium comprising the steps of placing a predetermined speed change code on the medium bearing the prerecorded function after the function has been recorded on the medium, concurrently scanning the function and the speed code and producing outputs therefrom, and re-recording the function on the second medium at a new scale determined by the speed code output.

Let us assume for purposes of illustration that it is desirable to produce a synthetic seismogram from a particular type well log. Assuming the log is from a vertically drilled well, the scale change involved is changing the linear depth scale of the well log to a linear travel time (two-way) for the seismogram. The step of filtering the log to produce seismic frequencies, even though necessary in producing a synthetic seismogram, is not important in the scale changing operations and will not be discussed.

To better understand the over-all operation, it is necessary to discuss preliminary operations designed to set up an apparatus that is capable of practicing the novel method of scale changing. The preliminary operations can be broken down into those required to establish a desired speed change code on the original log and the preliminary operations necessary to set up a machine for transferring the original log to the magnetic record.

The preliminary operations are as follows:

Determining the position of the speed change code (in this case, two-way travel time marks). The purpose of this operation is to break the original log or record into a predetermined number of sections so that by varying the scan speed (or delay) at the start of each of these predetermined sections, the scanned information is recorded on a uniformly moving magnetic tape producing a predetermined scale change. Unless a nonlinear scale is to be recorded, the speed change code marks are recorded in equally spaced positions along the magnetic tape.

The determination of the position of the speed code can be accomplished mathematically in various ways. The most simple method is to utilize the average seismic velocities (furnished with each log of interest) and determine the depths of one-tenth second intervals of two-way travel time.

Of course, any suitable equal interval can be used. The predetermined intervals are marked on the log or record by using strips of burglar alarm tape, conductive ink, or other suitable markings.

Since the preferred embodiment of the device capable of practicing the preferred method of scale change utilizes an automatic speed changing control 69, FIGURE 3, it is necessary to set in potentiometers 71, 71, etc., each of which will be sequentially connected by voltage developed from a speed code marker 11, the resistance necessary to produce a frequency change to drive the synchronous motor 93 at the next new predetermined speed. Knowing the inherent capacitive and resistive combination in oscillator 81, it is basic to determine the resistance settings required to produce the desired frequency changes required to drive synchronous motor 93 at its new predetermined speeds. The number of potentiometer settings to be made depends upon the number of code marks placed on the record. Of course, the number of potentiometers 71 is not important to the inventive concept; and if more settings are required than the number of potentiometers available, speed changing control 75 can be reprogrammed as the devices switches through the original settings.

The preliminary steps of selecting the correct scanning and driving ratios, modulator range, and proper carrier frequency were disclosed in the discussion of the transcribing method. Since for purposes of illustration that transcribing method is used to record the function in this scale changing method, no further elaboration is necessary.

With the preliminary operations accomplished, log 13 bearing data 15, FIGURE 1, is moved under pointer 1. Pointer 1 is continually repositioned by control knob 67, which in turn varies bias potentiometer 3. The varying bias produced controls the output frequency of modulator 5. The PM signal is recorded by head 7 on tape 9. Simultaneously with recording the data, the initially selected speed of motor 25 shown in FIGURE 3 as synchronous motor 93 drives log 13 at the selected speed. As the first speed code 11 passes under contact 17, the code shorts out the contact, actuating one-short multivibrator 99, FIGURE 3, sending a pulse through contact 129, diode 79 to actuate relay 77' and close ganged switch 75'. Thus, each succeeding pulse from multivibrator 99 closes the next succeeding ganged switch in 69 in the same manner. With the activation of ganged switch 81, the resistance setting in potentiometer 71 and the capacitance in trimmer capacitor 73 are included in the circuit of oscillator 81. This new combination of resistance and capac itance changes the oscillator output frequency of 81 to a new predetermined value shown as frequency f and wave form 131 in FIGURE 4. Phase shift circuit 83, FIGURE 3, shown in detail in FIGURE 4 receives oscillator output 131 at input 111. Flip flop is actuated by pulse train 131 to produce square wave trains 133 and 135. Both 133 and 135 occur at frequency 1; however, they are degrees out of phase. The respective differentiating circuits produce waves 133' and 135', which are used to actuate trigger transistors 121 and 127, which in turn trigger flip flops 107 and 109. Output wave 133" from 107 is now 90 degrees out of phase with output 135", and the frequency of the output waves are ;f/4 or one-fourth the input frequency. Therefore, regardless of the oscillator or input frequency f, outputs 133 and 135" are 90 degrees out of phase as they are fed to their respective power amplifiers 85 and 87 in FIGURE 3.

It is evident from the explanation above that each pulse created by speed code 11, FIGURE 1, sequentially pulses control 69 in such a manner that a new predetermined frequency is fed to the synchronous motor, which in turn drives chart 13 at the new predetermined speed. Therefore, chart 13 is variably driven to introduce the desired scale change as the data is recorded on the tape driven at a constant speed.

A simplified variation to the method described above involves manual operation of the scanner and modulator as well as manual selection of the input frequencies to the synchronous motor. Although this method of operation is slower than the method discussed above, it has proven quite successful over an extended period of usage. The instrumentation of this method includes a manual tracking and modulating system as disclosed in FIGURE 1 with a different speed control system.

In operation, pickup switch 17 is connected to a signal lamp. The passage of a marker 11 under 17 flashes the lamp, at which time an operator punches a new precomputed frequency into the keyboard of a conventional signal generator connected to a synchronous motor driving chart 13.

For a discussion of a scale changing method which operates on the signal by advancing or delaying it instead of varying the speed of one record, i.e., a system based on corrector 35, FIGURE 1, instead of the just described system based on corrector 33, reference is made to the parent case.

Although the methods and apparatus have been illustrated for operation .on seismic and logging data, it is obvious that the invention is just as appropriate for other operations requiring the transcription to magnetic record and/or appropriate scale changes. Therefore, it is to be observed that although specific embodiments of the instant invention have been illustrated and described herein, various modifications and substitutions may be made which will be obvious to those skilled in the art, without departing from the scope of the present invention which is limited only by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A novel 90-degree phase shifting circuit designed to operate with inputs of varying frequency comprising (b) a first differentiating circuit connected to said drive (c) a first trigger circuit,

(d) a first driven flip flop, said first trigger circuit connected between said first differentiating circuit and said first driven flip flop,

(e) a second differentiating circuit connected to said drive flip flop,

(f) a second trigger circuit, and

(g) a second driven flip flop, said second trigger circuit connected between said second differentiating circuit and said second driven flip flap.

2. A novel -degree phase shifting circuit designed to operate with inputs of varying frequency comprising (a) a drive flip flop including two transistors and having first and second outputs,

(b) a first differentiating circuit connected to said first output of said drive flip flop,

(c) a first trigger circuit connected to the output of said first differentiating circuit,

(d) a first driven flip flop connected to the out-put of said first trigger circuit, said first driven flip flop including two transistors,

(e) a second differentiating circuit connected to said second output of said drive flip flop,

(f) a second trigger circuit connected to the output of said second differentiating circuit, and

(g) a second driven flip flop connected to the output of said second trigger circuit, said second driven flip flop including two transistors.

3. The 90-degree phase shifting circuit of claim 2 Where the first and second trigger circuits include transistors.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 23,932 Re. 24,240 2,899,572 3,000,564 3,070,667 3,153,763

JOHN W. HUCKERT, Primary Examiner. 

1. A NOVEL 90-DEGREE PHASE SHIFTING CIRCUIT DESIGNED TO OPERATE WITH INPUTS OF VARYING FREQUENCY COMPRISING (A) A DRIVE FLIP FLOP, (B) A FIRST DIFFERENTIATING CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE (B) FLIP FLOP, (C) A FIRST TRIGGER CIRCUIT, (D) A FIRST DRIVEN FLIP FLOP, SAID FIRST TRIGGER CIRCUIT CONNECTED BETWEEN SAID FIRST DIFFERENTIATING CIRCUIT AND SAID FIRST DRIVEN FLIP FLOP, (E) A SECOND DIFFERENTIATING CIRCUIT CONNECTED TO SAID DRIVE FLIP FLOP, (F) A SECOND TRIGGER CIRCUIT, AND (G) A SECOND DRIVEN FLIP FLOP, SAID SECOND TRIGGER CIRCUIT 